Several Cariboo community leaders were among a host of others from across the province who attended a rally supporting New Prosperity Mine in Vancouver on Dec. 10.
South Cariboo Chamber of Commerce (SCCC) directors Len Doucette and Allan Roberts, and local businessman Nick Christianson joined business, political, and mining association leaders along with other stakeholders who gathered to voice support for the Cariboo-Chilcotin mining project.
Within the next few months, Canada's minister of environment and cabinet are due to decide if they will approve the mine project at Fish Lake to move forward to the subsequent planning stages.
The gathering was sponsored by the British Columbia Chamber of Commerce (BCCC) and was aimed at helping the province persuade the federal government to approve the New Prosperity project.
It took place two days before B.C. Mines and Energy Minister Bill Bennett met with four federal cabinet ministers to discuss the proposed mine project on Dec. 12.
Roberts said the rally gave further testimony to boost Bennett's goals of achieving a convincing argument when he spoke to the officials on Parliament Hill, so they don't veto the controversial project.
The two-hour meeting featured various speakers, but he noted those who stood out to him were made by Bennett, Williams Lake Mayor Kerry Cook, former Alexis Creek First Nation chief Ervin Charleyboy, and University of B.C. mining engineering professor Dr. John Meech.
Bennett was the "star" of the event, Roberts said, adding he was impressed with the minister’s speech.
"Bill Bennett emphasized how the B.C. Liberals are behind the project 100 per cent ... they want it to go forward and understand how important it is for the area, with the [forest industry] fallout of the pine beetle.
"They are all about jobs and job creation [and] training."
Meech is the preeminent authority on mining in B.C., Roberts said, adding he also has a couple of former students working on the New Prosperity mine project.
"He was incredibly informative and I really appreciated what he had to say about B.C. being in the forefront of mining in Canada, and this particular project."
Doucette said he was impressed with everyone who spoke, and was pleased to see the BCCC is on board and organized a successful rally.
"A lot of its members throughout the province support this project."
He only spoke very briefly with Bennett, but Doucette notes his comments did get recorded.
The SCCC member told the minister the Cariboo-Chilcotin ranks 49th place out of 57 B.C. school districts on the socio-economic index, and student enrolment is down 38 per cent since 2001.
"It's great to have Minister Bennett go over to ... let Ottawa know that B.C. supports this project."
In a press release, the Tsilhqot’in National Government stated it objects to Bennett's continuing promotion of the controversial mine project at Fish Lake – a sacred site for the local Tsilhqot'in aboriginal people – despite what it calls a "more scathing" second independent panel report.
In his speech, Bennett said government is aware of and will respect Aboriginal opposition, but also noted 37 per cent of B.C.'s mining royalties now go to First Nations through revenue-sharing agreements.
Doucette added the former area chief at the rally explained why he believes more First Nation support isn't seen for a project that could provide many jobs for its people.
"Ervin Charleyboy spoke well and what he had to say was great; the youth are afraid to speak out [in support of the mine].
Christianson said he saw a "very broad base of support" for the project from groups in the Cariboo and in Vancouver.
Christianson added he also gained a lot of project insight from Meech on some of the more controversial aspects, such as the potential impacts of tailings seepage.
"I spent a fair bit of time with him, and he was just shaking his head, like 'how did it get this far off the rails?' He also said this mine tailings pond will actually enhance the fishery in Fish Lake, not degrade it."
Bennett said the mine approval would be subject to its meeting the most stringent provincial and federal standards needed to protect Fish Lake and the surrounding environment.